Cyanoliseus patagonus
The Burrowing Parrot (*Cyanoliseus patagonus*) is a vibrant, medium-sized psittacine, typically reaching 43-47 cm (17-18.5 inches) in length and weighing 250-350 grams (8.8-12.3 ounces). Its striking plumage features an olive-brown back, a bright yellow belly, a distinctive white breast band, and a fiery red vent, complemented by blue flight feathers and a long, pointed tail. Key field marks include its prominent white breast patch, the vibrant red and yellow underparts, and its characteristi...
It primarily inhabits semi-arid, open country, including steppes, scrublands, and low woodlands, always near cliffs, ravines, or riverbanks that provide suitable nesting sites. It occurs from sea level up to elevations of 2000 meters in Andean foothills.
Their diet consists primarily of seeds, including thistle, sunflower, and various grasses, supplemented by fruits, berries, nuts, and occasionally agricultural crops. They forage both on the ground and in trees, using their strong beaks to open tough seeds.
Burrowing Parrots are highly social and diurnal, engaging in communal roosting, often on cliff faces near their nesting colonies or in large trees. Their foraging strategy involves both ground gleaning for fallen seeds and feeding directly on plants, efficiently utilizing their strong beaks to ex...
The primary breeding range of the Burrowing Parrot extends across central and southern Argentina, from Río Negro south through Chubut and Santa Cruz, with disjunct populations further north in Mendoza, San Juan, and Córdoba provinces. Historically, it also bred in parts of central Chile and Urugu...
Least Concern
- The Burrowing Parrot forms the world's largest parrot colony at El Cóndor, Argentina, hosting over 35,000 active burrows. - Their nesting burrows can extend up to 3 meters (10 feet) deep into cliff faces, providing excellent protection from predators and temperature extremes. - This species is ...